This is the official blog of the City of Lakeland, Florida. Check back frequently to stay up to date with all that going on in our beautiful city!

LAKELAND, FL (August 26, 2016) - The City of Lakeland will be starting a shoreline stabilization and restoration project with construction beginning September 12th on the south side of Lake Hollingsworth in the vicinity of the public access boat ramp. The project is expected to be completed by January 31, 2017. The public access boat ramp and parking lot will remain open during the project.

The shoreline in this location has experienced significant erosion and destabilization over recent years contributing to the measurable loss of shoreline area, exposure of tree root systems and subsequent loss of several trees.

Laurie Smith, Manager of Lakes & Stormwater said, “If left unabated, additional erosion and loss of shoreline would continue. We will be installing a low profile sea wall constructed of Truline brand hybrid recycled materials specially designed to stabilize the shoreline and prevent additional erosion.”

Three sets of concrete steps will be set into the seawall for access to the lake. The City of Lakeland Lakes & Stormwater Division met with several user groups in researching shoreline stabilization solutions. Custom Built Marine of Port St. Lucie, FL was awarded the contract for the seawall installation project at a cost of $192,000.

LAKELAND, FL (July 27, 2016) - Frescos Whisky Green at the Heights will be ending its operation at Cleveland Heights Golf Course on July 31st. Tina Calhoon, Owner & Executive Chef of Frescos said, “We will serve our last brunch on Sunday, July 31st at the Cleveland Heights location but we want everyone to know this decision has nothing to do with our downtown Lakeland and Café operations.”

Bob Donahay, Director of Parks & Recreation said, “Frescos came to Cleveland Heights and assisted us during a time of transition. In fact, Frescos Whisky Green started operating at Cleveland Heights on September 15, 2015 and they helped us move from Ovations Food Services to more of a classic food and beverage type operation.” He added, “We now find ourselves in a different transition as we move Cleveland Heights away from the stand-alone enterprise business model and shift operations under the Parks & Recreation budget. The facility is now treated like a park amenity.”

Calhoon said, “Due to the change in restructuring Cleveland Heights from an enterprise fund to park operations, the current business model will not work for us.” She added, “This was a tough decision for everyone. We have enjoyed our time at Cleveland Heights and we learned a great deal but now it’s time to concentrate on the successes of our other operations. We will use our experience to enhance Frescos downtown, our Café at the Lakeland Automall and our future endevours.”

Frescos is owned and operated by Tim and Tina Calhoon. The couple opened Frescos in 2009. Since then the restaurant has grown into a downtown Lakeland destination serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Frescos is well known for their full catering division, handling events from intimate dinner parties to elaborate receptions to large fundraising galas. The couple also operate Frescos Café located at Lakeland Ford.

Cleveland Heights golf course originally opened in the spring of 1925. In the late 1920’s the City of Lakeland purchased Cleveland Heights and added nine holes to the original eighteen-hole layout in the early 1980’s. Today Cleveland Heights is truly a unique golf experience. The 27-hole facility, is a Division of the Parks and Recreation Department and offers golfers a chance to step back in time enjoying a classic course with modern amenities.

The City of Lakeland is pleased to announce the coming launch of ePlan, a web-based electronic and document workflow solution that allows customers and staff to initiate and complete the plan submission, review, markup, and approval process. Unlike the current paper-based system, ePlan brings potential savings and efficiencies, including:

Submission of plans electronically from the customer's office, 24 hours a day / 365 days a year;

Concurrent reviews of plans by all professional and trade disciplines;

Reviewer markups made directly on the plans to provide direction and clarity as to any items which require correction;

When an applicant (architect, engineer, consultant, contractor, etc.) submits an application for a permit or project which requires drawings, ePlan will invite the applicant to upload the electronic plans and all relevant schedules and documents. City review staff will have simultaneous access to review the plans and mark them with corrections and comments affording clearer communication by and between staff and applicant. The applicant is notified of the changes requested and once made the plans are electronically resubmitted.

Ready to get started? So are we.

Beginning Monday, March 14, 2016, applicants for building permits, concept and site plan review, whether application is made in-person or througheTRAKiT, will be invited to upload their plans to ePlan once the application is received. The invitation will include login information and a link to the specific permit or planning project for which application was made. A wealth of assistance including step-by-step tutorials has been created and will be accessible through the ePlan system.

Notice is hereby given that the City of Lakeland Canvassing Board will convene on the following dates:

November 6, 2015, in the City Commission Conference Room at Lakeland City Hall, 228 S Massachusetts Av, Lakeland
8:30 a.m. to select a precinct for the Post Election Audit.

November 10, 2015, in Bartow at the Supervisor of Elections Office, 250
S. Broadway Ave., Bartow FL at 4 p.m. to conduct the Post Election Audit.

Anyone deciding to appeal a decision by the Canvassing Board on the above subject matter at these meetings will need a record of the proceedings and for purposes of that appeal, may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, including the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be made.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact the City Manager’s Office no later than two (2) days prior to the proceeding at (863) 834-6006, for assistance. The City Manager’s office is located in City Hall, 228 S.
Massachusetts Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801-5086. If HEARING impaired, please contact TDD (TDD-Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) at Local - (863) 834-8333 – or 1-800-955-8771. If VOICE impaired, please contact the Florida Relay Service at 1-800-955-8770, for assistance.